The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-19
A GOssip's Deed:

and looked knowing.
81 didn't pose you'd care so much
'Nervie," she said, after a moment
of silence, during which the young
girl had turned her face away.
Miss Perkins was one of the born
aggravators of humanity in general
and in particular. Minerva Wood
ford felt horribly tempted to tell her
so. But Minerva had wonderful
solf-control for such smiling azure
eyes and thick massed, ungoverna-
BILE auburn hair. 1t was no light
imposition, this that she had borne
throughout that glorious mid-sum-
mer afternoon; the company ofMiss
Perkins to tea," the threads of gos-
sip Miss Perkins unraveled (inch for
inch with the great gray balls from
which she was always knitting ugly
stocking for Heaven knew whom)
and knit up slowly with her own
peculiar skill of narration into sub
stance quite as ugly and durable as
the product of her hands.
1t was one of Miss Perkins self
enjoined duties to communicate dis
agreeable tidings. She felt de-
lightful sense of peace and content
ment now that she had concluded
her task of enlightening her young
and motherless hostess. "Nervie
was good girl and hadn't ought to
be deceived leastest," she said to
herself, more specially by such a
worthless critter as that Jason
Hawkes.
81 didn't s'pose you'd care so
much" she repeated, with an air OF
sympathy. Minerva was reaching
through the window to break off
some OF the pink roses that hung
there red ripe and luscious. She
did not obey her impulse to
turn and speak sharply. She did
not say out her thought. "Nervie p
How she hated to be called "Nerviel'
No one with any sense called hei
anything but Minnie. No one but
Miss Elvira Perkins. She wished
Miss Perkins would never come tC
see her.
She thought all this, but what she
said was milder, as she faced abou
carelessly and stood arranging thC
roses.
"I am sure hardly understand
you, Miss Perkins. Why should
you suppose l cared what you sale
Jason Hawkes. ? Surely he has Z
right to marry whom he pleases."
She might have been Il little palei
than usual, but her voice was quite
steady.
Miss Perkins smiled discreetly.
"There amt much chance for the
young girls" she observed, when
there's Il designin' widow come tc
town. Miss Darrell's just got Jason
Hawkes. wound completely round
her finger. 'lisnt that he's so much
account, though ifhe'd married you,
you could've had Il good influence
He's altogether too fond O. race
horses and such like evil doings.
But for her to come and set herself
up so migtily-why, she amt once
returned your call now, I'll be
bound.
Minerals lovely face flushed
painfully at the reminder. She
stepped from sitting-room to kitchen
and put some Water in Il vase for
the roses. Her heart throbbed with
great ache, but never should her
caller know it,
ITS almost time for father to
come" she said, quietly. I'm 60
ing to set the table now, Miss Per-
kins. viii you sit by the door? I'll
bring your chair"
"Oh, law can manage for my
self said the elderly maiden, ris-
ing in some haste to push the wood
en- rocker before her over the sill and
down the length of the shining
kitchen. 1t was a wing of the house
facing the road, and the door was
open.
A sudden hooi-beat and Il rumble
of wheels ON the soft and yellow,
road. A carriage sprn by after a
certain well-known pair of jet black
horses.
Miss Perkins sent up thrill little
cry of triumph.
Il never! There they go; he's
driving her out to the fair grounds.
What do you think of that Miss
Ncrvie ?"
But Minerva made no rebly.
Miss Perkins turned only to see
the girl slip quietly from the room.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for a
considerable space. The tea kettle
had begun to sing cheerily. The